Moore making seamless transition with Steelers

By Alan Robinson

Those 346 receptions and 38 touchdowns he had in New Orleans apparently don't impress Steelers wide receiver Lance Moore's new landlords.

“They've kind of treated me like an older child,” Moore said, laughing. “But as long as I keep my area clean, I'm pretty good.”

At least Bruce and Miranda Gradkowski aren't giving him a curfew. Moore has reunited with Gradkowski, his teammate and roommate at Toledo, by bunking at the backup quarterback's house until he finds his own place.

But if there's anybody in Pittsburgh that Moore already feels at home with, it's Ben Roethlisberger. They've meshed so well since the start of offseason practices, it's led to an expansion of Moore's perceived role.

Expected to be the slot receiver replacement for Jerricho Cotchery, Moore also is showing up in two-receiver sets as well as the expanded packages.

“Lance is a pro. He's a great professional,” Roethlisberger said. “He's going to be really good, and I think we're going to have a good connection. There were a few things (in practice) that were just a foot off. A pass I threw a little bit outside, he thought I was going in. Those little things we can work on, and that's what camp is going to be about.”

With no clear front-runner to replace Emmanuel Sanders — Markus Wheaton, Justin Brown, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Martavis Bryant are in the mix — the 5-foot-9 Moore might end up as the unexpected starter.

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I still grumble that him and Gradkowski are from Toledo...   

On a serious note- I think he'll have a solid season for us.

Whyant5 wrote:

I still grumble that him and Gradkowski are from Toledo...   

On a serious note- I think he'll have a solid season for us.

A few months ago, I would have been happy if he was just able to fill Cotchery's role. But there's certainly nothing wrong with exceeding expectations.

Oh I bet he will go way above that. Cotch (to me) was good like a lifeboat is good: you don't want it to be your first option, but you are sure (and very very hopeful) that it's a sure thing when called upon.

The good news (now, not then) is that Sanders didn't set the bar very high as a No. 2 receiver. I strongly believe that whoever lines up on the other side of A. Brown is going to be every bit as productive as Sanders (and probably more). I wasn't expecting Moore to have a shot at being the No. 2, but having a veteran receiver in that position would be a positive.

Due to fantasy football, I've watch Moore's role with the Saints. That and the fact that the Saints have been on TV a lot over the last few years. I digress. I viewed how reliable Moore had become over the years and the fact that he was 'that guy' when the Saints need a catch past the first down markers.

I believe he never got a shot at being a #1 WR because, well the saints don't have a #1 WR. Drew Breese moved the ball around and shared the wealth with anyone and everyone who could catch the ball.

The Steelers don't have that luxury but having Moore in the mix to push others to get better, will only improve our WR corp.